Photo Credit: SDSU Extension
South Dakota State University Extension is offering a Beef Quality Assurance training course on Sept. 29, 2026, in Rapid City.
The training will begin at 3:30 p.m. MT at West River Research and Extension. Registration is free and includes training materials. The training will take 2.5 hours. To register, visit extension.sdstate.edu/events and search “beef”.
Anyone involved in raising or handling cattle is encouraged to attend. The BQA program guides producers toward continuous improvement using science-based production practices that assure cattle well-being, beef quality and safety.
“This training is part of our mission to help South Dakota beef producers continuously improve their operations and protect their animals,” said Paige Madison, SDSU Extension Livestock Production and Stewardship Field Specialist and South Dakota BQA Coordinator. “We are proud to offer this program to producers in our state.”
The BQA program provides educational opportunities for beef and dairy farmers and ranchers throughout the state and works to improve the quality of beef produced by connecting producers with the newest research and animal care techniques.
During the event, attendees can become BQA certified and certification is valid for three years. By becoming BQA certified, producers can uphold consumer confidence in beef, enhance herd profitability through improved management, safeguard the public image of the beef industry and boost the sale of marketed beef cattle.
“As a cattle producer, I believe this is a very important time to get your BQA certification. BQA is increasingly utilized in our industry to show consumers that we are focused on continual improvement in beef quality and animal care,” said Dr. Trey Patterson, CEO of Padlock Ranch Company and chair of the BQA Advisory Group. “There is no better way to leverage our story than through a grassroots and science-based program like BQA.”
SDSU Extension news release
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